ATC Ticket Journal

Hello and happy Friday!! It's Jennalee here today. Do you ever get inspired while cleaning up the random pieces on your table? That's how this ATC Ticket Journal came about. While I was cleaning up the aftermath of previous projects I ran across a photo with red stitching alongside a ticket and piece of floral ephemera from there the layers started to flow. The ATC Ticket Journal is the perfect size for a quick project you can complete in an afternoon. I also love that the chipboard is thin enough to stitch on your sewing machine.

I kept my layers simple using 3-5 pieces of ephemera. I love how the red stitching pops and adds so much detail. 

The Ticket Journal is the perfect size with 5 panels. Enough to tell a story but not overwhelming when it comes to decorating. 

Washi tape adds just the right amount of detail in the background. 

That pop of red sets my heart aflutter. 

I didn't decorate the back of the tickets yet so that I can have another reason to clean up the piles of inspiration that accumulate on my table. What's currently on your table?

Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

Note to Self

Hello!! It's Jennalee here today. Does your creative mojo just ever fly away and leave you hanging? That's what happened to me this week. When I started this project I knew I wanted to play with the Ornamental Birdcage Shape Set. I had a completely different idea in mind when I started and then bam my mojo up and snuck out the door.

I loved how rusty and crusty the cage turned out so decided to keep it as the focus of my piece and build a collage around it with elements to remind myself that it's okay to need to rest and take a break.

The Ornamental Birdcages Shape Set comes with 3 different style cages in 3 sizes. 

I started by painting my cage with Raw Umber both front and back. 

Then using Distress Collage Medium and Paper Artsy's Rusting Powder rusted my cage. From chipboard to rusty crusty goodness!! 

I really loved the solemn graceful look of the woman in the Photobooth Photo and that button with the pop of original red thread spoke to me. As I was digging thru my Tim Holtz Ephemera pieces I found this "Handle with Care" label and it was perfect for my message to myself. 

The bottom corner of the frame says Cloudy days good as sunshine another excellent reminder!! 

Carrying on with my note to self theme I added the airmail label and the Story Clipping to remember. 

How do you handle your mojo leaving for vacation? I can usually find mine again after a nap and some chocolate and a good day of free play in the studio. 

Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

Tag You're It Mini Albums

Hello and happy Friday!! It's Jennalee here today. I am on a bit of a book kick lately. They are the perfect project for using up scraps. I have seen some amazing matchbook albums on Instagram and was inspired by the size of them. So I decided to go small again. The cover of my books are made from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts - Small Tag Set and Large Tags.  The chipboard tags provide a sturdy cover yet can still be stitched thru!!

The Small Tags Set come with 10 in the pack and measure 3.25 inches tall by 1.6 inches wide. 

The Large Tags come with 3 in the pack and are number 8 size. 

Fold the small tags at 1/2 inch from the bottom and then at 2.25 inches. 

I used my score board and bone folder to score my tags before folding. I found that lightly spraying the Small Tags helped create a cleaner fold. 

Fold the Large Tag at 3/4 inch from the bottom and then again at 3 5/8 inches. 

The larger tags are not as thick as the smaller ones and don't need to be sprayed. 

I used a glue stick to adhere scraps to both the front and back of both tags. I used a sanding block to remove any overhanging edges. 

A stitched on button and some vintage cotton thread make the perfect closure for the Small Tag book. 

I built up my layers and then stitched them together on with the sewing machine. I then set my stitches to a longer length and then stitched them into the tag cover. 

And added messy stitching to the top flap. 

The large tag book was assembled the same as the small one. Because there were more pieces of ephemera in the larger book stitching on my machine was a bit tricky. So keep that in mind and take it slow. 

Those layers make my heart flutter!! 

I love the wings peeking out!! 

These little books are the perfect way to spend an afternoon and would be perfect for mail art swaps.

Tag you're it!! I challenge you to make a book from a tag. 

Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

Mini Accordion Book

Hello!! Jennalee here today. I always love when a big box of inspiration comes from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. It's always so fun to dig through and see what really sparks an idea. In my most recent box, there were these fabulous Mini Trading Coasters (coming soon) and I instantly thought they would make the perfect covers for a small book of some sort. I have been wanting to try my hand at an accordion book so decided to dive right in. 

I got so caught up in making this project I forgot to take a bunch of pictures but I'll walk you through my thought process. 

These Mini Trading Coasters come in a 3 pack and measure 2.5 x 2.5. The possibilities for these are endless. 

I wanted to keep my book simple with a focus on textures. The cover has a die-cut pattern layered with a torn bingo card. Using a craft pic I was easily able to poke holes through the Mini Trading Coaster. I then stitched on a button and tied a length of seam binding around the stitching to act as a closure. 

 I started out by making my accordion insert first. Once the accordion was made I adhered either end to the Coasters. In design, I usually strive for odd numbers but for this particular book 6 pages worked the best. 

Wanting a mixture of textures I did every other page out of fabric. 

I picked all my pieces for the main pages and stitched them together on my sewing machine. Once the main pages were sewn together I went back and added any hand stitching or embellishments. 

This page is actually a baby wipe left over from making rusty ink backgrounds. I accidentally burnt a hole in while drying the page next to it. But it only adds to the texture and interest.

Keeping it simple by letting the textures of varying papers do the talking. 

A handstitched photo printed on muslin. 

I loved this piece of a vintage time card with the original bit of adding machine tape still attached. 

I kept the back simple but love the natural patina of the paper. 

I hope this simple project brings a small spark of inspiration. These trading coasters also come in a larger size so I think I see another book in my future. As always thanks for spending a few minutes with me today. 

Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

Witches Ball ATC Journal

Hello!! Jennalee here today with an ATC Ticket Journal with a little Halloween twist inspired by the Mini Mask Shapes. The mini masks fit perfectly on these Photobooth photos. As I started playing around with the images I thought of the ATC Ticket Journal as a mini scrapbook from a Halloween party. 

Begin by cutting paper to size for each section of the Journal. Adhere papers to Journal and add ink edges with Spiced Marmalade and Black Soot Distress Ink. On the 3 middle panels layer various Halloween washi tapes. 

Prepare Photobooth photos by roughing up the edges and inking with Tea Dye and Vintage Photo Distress Inks. 

Layer photos on patterned paper and cut to size with pinking shears. Messy stitch around the photos. 

Look at how awesomely cute these are!! 

Heat emboss the masks with various glitter powders. Adhere to photos.

Die cut the lettering for the front and back cover from black glitter paper. 

Add additional details such as witches hat and tiara. 

I hope you enjoyed seeing how this super quick and easy project came together. Are you finding time to sneak in some Halloween creating? 

Happy Creating~ Jennalee